Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton has revealed that a racial slur was hurled at his younger brother during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks.
“My little brother in the stands the other day was called an N-word,” Haliburton said after the Pacers’ 125-108 Game 2 victory over the Bucks on Tuesday night. “It was important for us as a family to just address that. That was important for us to talk about because that didn’t sit right with anybody in our family. It’s just been important to have my family here right now, and my little brother’s handled that the right way.”
The Bucks and the NBA have not yet acknowledged Haliburton’s claims or confirmed whether they have initiated an investigation. Haliburton, who made his playoff debut in his home state of Wisconsin, condemned the incident and emphasized the impact it had on his family.
“It’s just sad that that happened. It’s sad that those words still get thrown around and it’s sad that my little brother had to experience that,” Haliburton said. “But at the same time, I’m proud of him for handling it the way he did.”
The Pacers tied the series with their victory in Game 2, setting up a crucial Game 3 in Indianapolis on Friday.
